FAQ #27961

Have a question? Try asking one of our Experts

How can I eradicate the carpenter bees nesting under the eaves boards of my house? The woodpeckers are tearing up the boards to get to the bees.

Related resource areas: Gardens, Lawns & Landscapes

Carpenter bees rarely attack painted or varnished wood. While natural wood may be attractive, if there is a problem with carpenter bees, you should consider applying a finish to the wood.

These bees often cause problems on structures by boring into the surface of the wood that is the back face of the trim under the eaves, as this surface is usually not painted. If problems do arise, use a small amount of insecticide that is labeled for bees and wasps. This can be dust, wettable powders, microencapsulated products, or aerosols. The labeled pesticide should be blown into the nesting holes. This is more safely done with aerosols than with the other formulations. Wait a few days to allow the adult female to become exposed to the pesticide, then plug the holes with plastic wood, putty, or a similar substance.

Preventive sprays applied to wood surfaces are effective only for a short period, meaning that you may have to repeat the application about every two to three weeks. However, once nesting activity has begun in the spring, treating the entrance holes with an insecticidal spray or dust may substantially reduce damage. Products containing carbaryl, cyfluthrin, or resmethrin are suggested in Florida, but please check with your local Extension office for the names of approved insecticides for these bees in your area.

Here's a more detailed reference: Large Carpentar Bees.

Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts

Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.

Comments

Post a comment about this topic

Please keep comments on topic. To ask a question, please use Ask an Expert. All comments are held for moderation. Comments that include profanity, personal attacks or other inappropriate material will not be posted to the site.

Did you find this page useful?

No one has rated this article yet. Why not be the first? what is this?
not useful
very useful
 1  2  3  4  5